Former Lawrenceville Gas Official Indicted on Racketeering and Bribery Charges

Strategic Insights -

A former assistant director of Lawrenceville's natural gas utility has been indicted on racketeering and bribery charges in connection with a kickback scheme to pocket millions from city pipe-laying contracts. Prosecutors alleges that Joshua Heath Morris and Westly Lee Griffin, owner of W.L. Griffin Co., worked together to award gas pipeline contracts to Griffin's company in exchange for a share of the profits. The contracts were worth an estimated $11 million over four years, and Griffin's company had no experience in gas pipeline work.

Key Takeaways:

  • Joshua Heath Morris, former assistant director of Lawrenceville's natural gas utility, has been charged with conspiracy to violate the state's Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, bribery, and conspiracy in restraint of free and open competition in transactions with state or political subdivisions.
  • Morris and Westly Lee Griffin, owner of W.L. Griffin Co., worked together to award gas pipeline contracts to Griffin's company in exchange for at least 30% of the profits.
  • The contracts were worth an estimated $11 million over four years, with Griffin's company having no experience in gas pipeline work.
  • Morris helped Griffin comply with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration in order to bid on Lawrenceville's contract.
  • The two communicated more than 50 times during the bid period, in violation of bidding rules, and went over Griffin's submission together to ensure his bid would come in lowest.
  • Morris drafted an operating agreement that gave a share of the profits to a shell company he formed the day of the City Council vote on the contract.
  • Morris was issued a credit card by W.L. Griffin Co. before his resignation in March.

Statistics:

  • Estimated value of the contracts: $11 million over four years.
  • Number of times Morris and Griffin communicated during the bid period: more than 50.
  • Percentage of profits share awarded to Griffin's company: at least 30%.
  • Number of city officials involved: Joshua Heath Morris, Kyle Morris (Joshua's son), and William Morris (Joshua's brother).
  • Total number of people employed by W.L. Griffin Co.: unknown, but Morris's son and brother left a previous company to join Griffin's company.

Sources:

  • Gwinnett County District Attorney's Office: news release citing charges against Joshua Heath Morris.
  • City of Lawrenceville spokesperson Melissa Hardegree: news release stating the city's cooperation with the investigation.
  • Gwinnett County grand jury indictment: charging Morris with racketeering and bribery.
  • Gwinnett District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson: news release citing intentions to prosecute the case to the fullest extent of the law.